Although retired, I am an active scholar, still fascinated by many questions related to the functioning of democracy, especially American democracy. I have always approached my research from a variety of vantage points, reaching out to many disciplines for knowledge and inspiration, and using a variety of methods and approaches as they seem appropriate.
Most of my work has been in the areas of political psychology, public opinion, elections, and political behavior, especially with respect to gender politics. I have also worked in areas of American Political Development and also feminist theory.
See my c.v. for more detail.
My current preoccupation is a large (I mean large) project on the history of American higher education in relationship to the development of American state and society. The point is not just to understand the history of American higher education for its own sake (interesting though that is), but to explore the ways in which American higher education has historically had major effects on the development of American state and society, and the ways that key problems and changes in American state and society have shaped American higher education.
The working title of this project is The Coming Crisis in American Higher Education, 1636-2036.
Feel free to contact me for questions or invitations.
Here is a working outline of the book (titles in black are drafted; titles in blue are in planning):
The Coming Crisis in American Higher Education, 1636-2036
Dedication & Preface
Introduction
PART 1: TOWN & GOWN: COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES, & THEIR COMMUNITIES
Chapter 1: The Founding of American Higher Education: Representative Stories
Chapter 2: Higher Education &the Founding of American Communities: Towns and Frontiers
Chapter 3: Urbanization & the Establishment of Municipal & Urban Higher Education
Chapter 4: Urbanization & the Growth of Sectoral Higher Education Institutions, 1850s to 1930
Chapter 5: Town versus Gown: Universities & Colleges as Problematic Neighbors & Citizens
PART II: HIGHER EDUCATION & THEIR STATES
Chapter 6: Higher Education in Establishing Colonial American Provinces
Chapter 7: The Struggle for Independence & State-Building
Chapter 8: Higher Education & Distinct State Development, 1830-1880 (in progress)
Chapter 9: States, Modernization, & Federalization
Chapter 10: Back to Basics: What is the Role of the State in Higher Education?
PART III: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT & HIGHER EDUCATION
Chapter 11: The Idea & Reality of a National Government
Chapter 12: Federal Law & Policy on Equality and Inclusion in Higher Education
Chapter 13: Federal Higher Education Policy from Roosevelt to Biden
PART IV: THE PERSISTENT COMING CRISIS: FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS
Chapter 14: Higher Education: For What?
Chapter 15: Higher Education: For Whom? (in progress)
Chapter 16: Higher Education: By Whom and What?
Chapter 17: Higher Education: Who Pays for It and How?
Chapter 18: Conclusions: Coming Attractions of the 21st Century
